Wettest winter in 15 years soaks central Victoria

The latest winter season for central Victoria has been the wettest since 1996.

Rainfall, in particular inflows, in the Coliban Water catchment area for the last three months pushed storages at Upper Coliban, Lauriston and Malmsbury Reservoir to above full capacity.

“A
total of 272 millimetres of rain fell over Malmsbury this winter, which is 30
millimetres higher than the long-term average and 48 millimetres higher than
the 10 year average," said Coliban Water raw water supply manager Steve Healy.

"Lake Eppalock received 177 millimetres of rain for
the same period.

“Winter
inflows were significantly greater than the 10 year average of 10,703
megalitres, with storages receiving a total of 31,060 megalitres. Long-term
average inflows for the same period are 28,153 megalitres."

With winter and spring typically the seasons catchments receive good inflows, Mr Healy said less than average rainfall forecast for the central Victorian region during spring wouldn't affect storages.

"Our
catchment storages finished the season just above full capacity – 69,700
megalitres. Our share of Lake Eppalock was full at 55,867 megalitres and
no water has been required to be pumped through the Goldfields Superpipe during
winter,” he said.